Melton City Council Calls for Continued Infrastructure Investment Amid Rapid Housing Growth

Melton City Council has welcomed new funding commitments in the 2026/27 Federal Budget for major transport and infrastructure projects, while urging both the Australian and Victorian Governments to increase long-term investment as the region experiences unprecedented population growth.

As Australia’s fastest-growing local government area, the City of Melton is expected to deliver approximately 109,000 new homes over the next two decades under the Victorian Government’s housing targets. Council says this rapid expansion requires significant investment in transport networks, roads, utilities, and community infrastructure to ensure the city remains liveable and connected.

A major highlight of the Federal Budget is the $152.7 million joint investment from the Australian and Victorian Governments to progress design and preparation works for the electrification of the Melton rail line. While Council welcomed the announcement, it stressed that planning alone will not address the growing transport pressures faced by local residents.

Melton City Council is now calling for a fully funded commitment to deliver the Melton rail electrification project by 2030, aligning with recommendations made by Infrastructure Victoria.

Council also acknowledged the allocation of $50 million toward upgrades to the Western Freeway as part of the previously announced $1 billion infrastructure package. However, local leaders are seeking further clarification from the Victorian Government regarding the scope and timeline of the proposed works to ensure they adequately address both current congestion and future traffic demand.

Additional Federal Budget measures welcomed by Council include:

• A $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund aimed at supporting essential enabling infrastructure such as water, sewer, and electricity connections.
• $750 million allocated for future rounds of the Growing Regions and Thriving Suburbs programs across councils nationwide.

Despite these investments, Council says more direct funding opportunities are urgently needed to support community infrastructure delivery across the municipality.

Over the next decade, the City of Melton is expected to require:

• 20 new community centres
• 10 active open space precincts
• Multiple new and upgraded aquatic facilities
• Three new libraries

Melton Mayor Cr Lara Carli said infrastructure investment is failing to keep pace with the scale and speed of residential growth occurring across the municipality.

“Council appreciates the Australian Government’s continued investment in the City of Melton, including in transport and roads, but the reality is that our infrastructure is not keeping pace with the scale and speed of growth we’re experiencing,” Mayor Carli said.

“We are delivering a significant share of Victoria’s housing targets, yet investment in rail services, bus connections, roads and community facilities is not keeping up with growth.”

Mayor Carli added that sustained collaboration between all levels of government will be essential to delivering the infrastructure needed to support future housing and population growth.

With Melton projected to remain one of Australia’s fastest-growing municipalities for years to come, Council continues to advocate for stronger infrastructure commitments to ensure residents have access to reliable transport, essential services, and quality community facilities.

Source: https://www.miragenews.com/council-urges-ongoing-federal-infrastructure-1676061/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Published: June 15, 2026